Seek the Traitor's Son by Veronica Roth

Title: Seek the Traitor's Son
Author: Veronica Roth

Genre: Sci-fi Fantasy

Series: The Burning Empire # 1

Publication: May 12, 2023, 418 pages

Source: Libby 

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Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her.

She is happy with her life as a soldier, defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation who worships a deadly Fever. A fever that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts.

But then she’s summoned to hear a prophecy–her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.

In just one day, Elegy’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.

Elegy intends to make sure it’s her.

MY THOUGHTS

Seek the Traitor's Son has all the makings of a great novel. The plot was interesting, the worldbuilding was unlike anything I've ever read, and the pacing and twists were pretty good. Perhaps I went in with expectations that were too high, considering all I'd heard were rave reviews. Sadly, though, this book didn't live up to the hype for me.

The blend of dystopian, fantasy, and science fiction wasn't nearly as odd a combination as I expected. Earth is no longer inhabitable, so humanity now resides on some sort of space station or in a neighboring galaxy. Among them is an alien race that believes in the Fever, which felt almost like a religion. Once infected, a person dies and can then resurrect with powers. The people of Cedre do not believe in the Fever and have largely isolated themselves from the Talusar to avoid infection. At the center of this conflict are two women and a man, all tied to a prophecy that could either save or doom their people.

The book started off strong. I was intrigued by the so-called prophecy, and the opening scene at the Cenobium was chaos in the best possible way. I remember thinking that if this was any indication of how the rest of the book would be, then I was in for a great read. Unfortunately, things went downhill for me once it started feeling like a soap opera revolving around the three leads. What really didn't work for me were the characters. Elegy (awful name, geeze) literally meets her assigned knight for five minutes, maybe ten if we're counting the ceremony before he's captured. They then spend four entire years apart. Years. Elegy receives word that he's still alive and embarks on a deadly mission to rescue him from Rava Vidar's home. Naturally, the mission succeeds.

From there, we watch the knight struggle to reintegrate into society. Understandably, that's difficult after being a P.O.W, and the new Sword doesn't trust him. Suddenly, readers are expected to believe that Elegy and her knight are deeply in love after only a few days or weeks together? Please. This book boasts a sweeping romance, but there was absolutely none. It was insta-love in the worst way. There was no foundation, no relationship development, and nothing meaningful to build on. Just because they're part of a prophecy doesn't automatically create a believable romance. Honestly, I'm surprised he didn't fall in love with his captor, Rava. At least she was with him for four years. You know... Stockholm syndrome and all. None of it made sense to me. I never felt any real connection between Elegy and Theren. Their relationship wasn't realistic or remotely believable. I also didn't like Elegy or most of the supporting cast. Frankly, I found nearly all of them poorly developed. The only remotely interesting character was Theren, and even then, only barely.

By the time I reached the end, I had already figured out who Theren was and what his connection to the man and woman in the plant vision would be. Because of that, it was easy to predict where the story was heading. The ending felt anticlimactic. The only scene that truly engaged me was the brief flashback of Theren's time at Rava's compound. Everything else just felt... bleh. I won't be continuing with the series. Despite the book being well written and the concept being ambitious, the execution felt dull and flat. This was my first Roth novel, and it will likely be my last.

The Library of Amorlin by Kalyn Josephson

Title: The Library of Amorlin

Author: Kalyn Josephson

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Age of Beasts # 1

417 pages, Hardcover

Publication: March 3, 2026

Source: Libby

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Former con artist Kasira expected to spend her life as a soldier, miserably working off her prison sentence by hunting down magical creatures for the fanatical kingdom of Kalthos. But when the Kalish ambassador arrives with a non-negotiable assignment, Kasira finds herself swept into the biggest con of her life: infiltrating the Library of Amorlin.

As the heart of all magic and the protector of magical creatures throughout the six kingdoms, the Library is historically politically neutral. Kasira is meant to pose as the new Assistant to spy for the ambassador and destabilize the Library from the inside, clearing the way to dethrone its Librarian.

But when she arrives, Kasira learns that the Library is not all she was told it would be. Neither is the prickly, handsome Librarian, Allaster, whose own monstrous secrets are about to catch up with him.

Swept into the enchanting world of the Library, Kasira’s reluctant con is jeopardized by her growing affection for the wondrous life the Library promises…and by her complicated, burgeoning attraction to Allaster. As the ambassador’s game closes in, Kasira must decide where her loyalties lie: to her newfound home, or to her own survival?

MY THOUGHTS

I consider The Library of Amorlin a fairly new book; it was published in early March. I should’ve known it wasn’t going to be good since it’s so new and I was able to renew my Libby loan after not finishing it within the borrowing period. Which rarely happens, if you're familiar with Libby and new titles. I always finish books well in advance, but this is the first time I didn’t, not because I was busy, but because I kept putting it down to read something else.

The premise sounded promising. Our FMC, Kasira, goes undercover as a spy to infiltrate the library. The beginning was decent, but as the story progressed, I found myself unable to connect with the plot or the characters. Despite being over 400 pages and taking place over the course of a month, not much really happens. Even the action scenes didn’t feel like they moved the story forward. The library, with all its magic and beasts didn’t feel particularly magical or fantastical. Instead, the kingdom’s politics played a much bigger role, to the point that they overshadowed every aspect of the library. I normally love a good political intrigue, but there was no intrigue in this book.

I love stories with thieves and con artists, it's what made me pick this novel up, but I hated Kasira. She isn't likeable at all. For majority of the book, she is, as she herself says, selfish. I mean, understandable because she doesn't want to get thrown back in prison. But it made for a frustrating reading experience because the entire time, all I can think is how much of a hypocritical selfish b- she was. Even at the end, when she saved Allaster, I didn’t think, “Wow, she’s so smart, she outwitted Vera and the king.” I just thought about how manipulative she was to pull it off. If I were Allaster, I would’ve kicked her out of the library after her first lie.

As for Allaster, he’s a typical brooding male character we’ve seen countless times. In my opinion, it wasn’t realistic for him to fall for Kasira so quickly, especially since, for much of the story, he didn’t even believe she had good intentions and was a spy. In which she was! And again, this book takes place over about a month, maybe two at most but I honestly don’t remember, nor do I really care.

I also want to note The Library of Amorlin has dual narration. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. I don't usually have any preference, but I didn't like the dual narration in this book, especially Allaster's POV which added nothing to the story.

I’m glad I borrowed this from the library. I didn’t enjoy it and don’t recommend it.

Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh

Title: Archangel's Kiss

Author: Nalini Singh

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Guild Hunter # 2

323 pages, Paperback

Publication: February 1, 2010

Source: Personal Library

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Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux wakes from a year-long coma to find herself changed—an angel with wings the colors of midnight and dawn—but her fragile body needs time to heal before she can take flight. Her lover, the stunningly dangerous archangel Raphael, is used to being in control—even when it comes to the woman he considers his own. But Elena has never done well with authority…

They’ve barely begun to understand each other when Raphael receives an invitation to a ball from the archangel Lijuan. To refuse would be a sign of fatal weakness, so Raphael must ready Elena for the flight to Beijing—and to the nightmare that awaits them there. Ancient and without conscience, Lijuan holds a power that lies with the dead. And she has organized the most perfect and most vicious of welcomes for Elena…

MY THOUGHTS

Archangel’s Kiss picks up exactly where Angels' Blood ended. Elena, the guild hunter, has been reborn as an angel and is just waking up from her coma. She now has to rebuild her strength and learn what it means to be immortal. As word of Elena’s condition spreads among angelkind, one of the Cadre members, Lijuan, throws a ball in her honor. Except someone seems determined to make sure Elena never makes it there, and everyone suspects Lijuan is behind the attacks.

One of my biggest issues with the first book was Raphael. I thought he was cringe in Angels' Blood, but he’s even worse in this one. Most of the book is just Elena and Raphael being extremely cringey together. All they do is think and talk about sex and of course, actually do the deed… nonstop. Elena acted like an animal in heat, which was gross, and then I had to sit through Raphael repeatedly telling her he couldn’t have sex with her yet because what he wanted to do to her would be too rough and might break or kill her. It made me want to barf every time it came up. To make things worse, Elena has nightmares about her family being attacked, and the only thing that soothes her is, you guessed it, sex.

There was barely any plot. The first 78% of the book was all of that, with maybe 1% of Elena training to fight and fly, and another 1% spent hunting a killer. The numbers might be exaggerated, but that’s genuinely how it felt.

The story and any semblance of a plot don’t actually show up until after the 80% mark, when Raphael and Elena arrive in Beijing for the ball. I did enjoy seeing the key players and getting page time with characters we only heard about before, like Jason, Nazarach, and Neha. The best part of the book was probably the final scenes and Illium, he’s funny without even trying.

I really tried to give this series a chance and hoped I would enjoy the second book more, but sadly, I didn’t. This book was mostly smut with no plot, and I need actual substance in my reading. With that said, I will not be continuing the series.

Jade City by Fonda Lee

Title: Jade City

Author: Fonda Lee

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: The Green Bone Saga # 1

529 pages, Paperback

Publication: November 17, 2017

Source: Libby Library

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The Kaul family is one of two crime syndicates that control the island of Kekon. It's the only place in the world that produces rare magical jade, which grants those with the right training and heritage superhuman abilities.

The Green Bone clans of honorable jade-wearing warriors once protected the island from foreign invasion--but nowadays, in a bustling post-war metropolis full of fast cars and foreign money, Green Bone families like the Kauls are primarily involved in commerce, construction, and the everyday upkeep of the districts under their protection.

When the simmering tension between the Kauls and their greatest rivals erupts into open violence in the streets, the outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones and the future of Kekon itself.

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve had Jade City on my TBR for years. The premise always intrigued me; an urban setting with gangs and magical jade… interesting, right?

The beginning started off strong with a memorable scene where a couple of teenagers try to steal jade from a Green Bone member. As expected, it goes awry, which leads to the Kaul family realizing someone is encroaching on their turf. To be quite honest, the magic system felt too vague, too simple, or just confusing to fully grasp at the start, at least for me. From what I gathered, only certain bloodlines are able to wield magical jade, which grants them enhanced strength. But even after finishing the book, I’m still not entirely sure what their magical abilities actually were. They all fought with blades or guns, so it felt a bit muddled. I guess I expected something more overtly magical. And if you’re not from the right bloodline, jade makes you sick and can eventually kill you. Each syndicate scouts for those with the right lineage to build their ranks.

Most of the characters felt bland; no one truly stood out or made a lasting impression. I never connected with any of them, and for most of the book, I felt pretty impassive toward their struggles. The only character who briefly grabbed my attention was Shae, the sole prominent female and the reluctant Kaul family member. I thought the writing itself was well done, but the story just didn’t hold my interest. There were a few standout scenes, but they were far between, and the pacing dragged in the gaps. Two moments were clearly meant to be major turning points, but they ended up feeling anticlimactic, especially the final fight.

Jade City was a decent read, but I don’t think I’ll be rushing to pick up the second book anytime soon, if at all.

Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs

Title: Frost Burned

Author: Patricia Briggs

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Mercy Thompson # 7

Publication: January 1, 2013 

352 pages

Source: Personal Library

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Mercy Thompson's life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman - the charismatic Alpha of the local werewolf pack - has made her a stepmother to his daughter Jesse, a relationship that brings moments of blissful normalcy to Mercy's life. But on the edges of humanity, a minor mishap on an ordinary day can turn into so much more...

After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and Jesse can't reach Adam - or anyone else in the pack for that matter. They've all been abducted.

Through their mating bond, all Mercy knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. But she fears Adam's disappearance may be related to the political battle the werewolves have been fighting to gain acceptance from the public - and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outmatched and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from any ally she can get, no matter how unlikely.

MY THOUGHTS

It’s been over ten years since I last read the Mercy Thompson series, so naturally, I decided a re-read was in order. I’m so glad I did; it reminded me just how much I love this world and these characters. Frost Burned is the seventh installment in the series, following Mercy, a coyote shifter, and her husband Adam, the local werewolf Alpha, as they navigate their new mate bond while dealing with the usual highs and lows of supernatural politics.

The story kicks off with a bang when Mercy and Jesse are ambushed during a Black Friday outing, and things only get worse when she discovers the entire pack, except Ben, has vanished. It turns out they’ve been taken by mercenaries, setting the stage for an action-packed ride.

If you’ve ever read this series or really any Urban Fantasy, you’ll know the protagonist rarely gets any downtime, and Mercy is no exception. Even seven books in, I was happy to find that the characters, writing, and plot remain just as strong as when I first started the series. There wasn’t a single lull; I stayed engaged and invested all the way through. I especially enjoyed this plot compared to some of the previous installments, and I liked seeing the mix of both familiar and fresh faces playing active roles in the story.

Now that I’ve finished my re-reads, it’s on to the books I haven’t yet read. I’m excited to see what Briggs has in store for Mercy and the crew.

The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley

Title: The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy 

Author: Brigitte Knightley

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Dearly Beloathed # 1

Publication: July 8, 2025, 416 pages

Source: Personal Library

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When Osric Mordaunt, member of the Fyren Order of assassins, falls ill, he realizes he needs the expertise of a very specific healer. As fate would have it, that healer belongs to an enemy faction, the Haelan Order.

Aurienne Fairhrim and her fellow Haelan are inundated by sick children suffering from an outbreak of a long-forgotten Pox. Unable to get the funding needed to launch an immunization program, the Haelan Order is desperate for money – so desperate that when Osric breaks into their headquarters to bribe Aurienne to heal him, she is forced to accept.

As Osric and Aurienne work together to solve not only his illness but the mysterious reoccurrence of the Pox, they find themselves ardently denying their attraction which only fuels the tension between them.

MY THOUGHTS

The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I want to start this review by saying I did read the original fiction this book was inspired by and absolutely loved it. So, saying I was looking forward to this release would be a massive understatement. With that said, The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy is nothing, absolutely nothing like the original story. The world, the characters, the plot; none of it is remotely close or similar.

As I mentioned earlier, because this was a highly anticipated read for me, I had very high expectations and unfortunately, it just barely missed the mark. It fell short across the board. It took me nearly 50% of the book to start genuinely enjoying it and feeling invested.

That said, I did like the plot and the writing style. Honestly, the plot saved the book from crashing and burning; it was just interesting enough to hold my attention. Having read Knightley’s other fiction, I was already familiar with her writing, and I actually love it. It’s unique compared to what I usually read. However, because she was building a completely new world here, the flow felt a bit off. Even so, I could tell her word choices and dialogue were intentional and clever. There were quite a few moments where I caught myself chuckling at just how brilliant some of the writing was.

Now, onto what didn’t work for me: the characters and the excessive vulgarity. Aurienne was incredibly unlikable for most of the book. She came across as a stuck-up B—who seemed to hate everything and everyone. It wasn’t until about 60–70% into the story that she started to become tolerable. Osric was slightly better than Aurienne, but honestly, not by much. There was zero chemistry between them. When they did start catching feelings for each other, it felt forced and disingenuous, almost like Stockholm Syndrome. They saved each other, and that somehow turned into romance? It just didn’t feel natural. The vulgarity in the book was overkill. It was unnecessarily raunchy and, at times, straight-up gross. I’m not sure if Knightley was trying to be edgy or funny, but I found it to be neither. Every time I came across a brilliant passage, it would be followed up with something crude that completely ruined the moment for me.

But like I said, thank goodness for a solid, well-thought-out plot. That was the book’s saving grace. Despite its flaws, I do plan to finish the series. Personally, I think this would’ve worked better as a standalone rather than a duology but oh well. This book is clearly written for a very specific audience. What audience that is, I’m not quite sure but it’s definitely not for everyone. I recommend checking out a sample chapter first to see if it’s your style before you commit to buying it or reading it. 

For Whom the Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn

Title: For Whom the Belle Tolls

Author: Jaysea Lynn

Genre: Cozy Fantasy

Series: Helle's Belles # 1

Publication: January 28, 2025, 640 pages

Source: Libby.

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They told her to go to Hell.

She went, but on her own terms. Lily isn’t exactly thrilled with her arrival in the Afterlife, but what awaits her there is more fantastical than she ever could have Deities wait in line at the coffee shop. Fae flit between realms. Souls find ways to make death a beginning.

As she explores the many corners of the Afterlife, Lily finds herself surprisingly drawn to a place most people would avoid at all Hell. Armed with years of customer service experience and pent-up sarcasm, Lily carves a job out for herself amongst Hell’s demons, sending souls to their rightful circles with more than a hint of sass.

Lily’s expectations are subverted every day in Hell—especially by Bel, a demon general with a distractingly sexy voice. The two meet by chance and form an immediate, deeply healing friendship, but the undeniable heat between them threatens to combust.

Meanwhile, something stirs beyond the boundaries of their world, threatening to destroy everything they’ve known and everything that could be…unless they fight like Hell to stop it.

MY THOUGHTS

I've been seeing For Whom the Belle Tolls everywhere. Everywhere. After reading the synopsis, I thought it sounded right up my alley and was excited to see what the hype was about. A girl navigating the afterlife and ending up in Hell? I was intrigued. The concept and story started off decently. I was momentarily enjoying the worldbuilding and characters, but it quickly went downhill.

The concept of the afterlife, while not new, had some fresh elements in Lynn’s version. I initially liked the author’s take on Hell, Heaven, and Paradise (which functioned like Limbo, where souls choose whether to reincarnate). I also appreciated how vividly I could picture Hell and its inhabitants. Readers are introduced to a parade of famous deities: Persephone, Lucifer, Aphrodite, Lilith, Thanatos... even God himself as they traversed the Universal Area (a kind of shared realm). Everyone was there. Unfortunately, that about sums up all the things I liked.

The worldbuilding and characters, at first glance sounded interesting but quickly revealed themselves to be built on a flimsy foundation and was poorly executed. Let’s start with the worldbuilding. While the author explained things well enough for me to visualize them, it felt like a cheap TV set: a living room backdrop built on a flat stage with no real house behind it. Everything was told to the reader rather than shown. Hell wasn’t nearly as unique as I hope, it felt like a dull reflection of corporate America, complete with hierarchies and office titles. They literally worked in an office. Higher-ups at the top, grunts at the bottom. Lily worked at the hellp desk, went to coffee shops, bars, and just hung out at home. It all just mirrored the mortal world in a way that felt unimaginative and uninspired.

The characters were painfully one-dimensional. Everyone was perfect, flawless appearances, always made the right choices and had the right words. That’s not how people are, in this world or any other. If I had to describe them in one word, it’d be “robots.” They felt disingenuous and fake, as if tailor-made for their roles without any real personality. Lily was one of the most boring protagonists I’ve ever read. She shows up in Hell, and everyone automatically falls in love with her, everything is handed to her with no questions or fuss. She’s apparently the smartest, most beautiful, most perfect person to ever show up there. Every word out of her mouth sounded like something from a self-help book. The male love interest was written in the same way: no flaws, no depth, no nuance. Just... nothing. 

This book was also poorly marketed. It was pitched as a romantic fantasy, but it’s really a cozy fantasy. And at nearly 700 pages, it dragged. If I had known there was basically no plot, I wouldn’t have forced myself through endless chapters of characters going to work, cooking, hanging out at bars, grabbing coffee, or sitting in the library. There’s mention of a world-invading threat, but we never see it. We only hear about it. And when the “war” finally happens around the 70% mark, it’s glossed over. We’re told people return home injured... that’s it. Why even mention it if it has zero impact on the story?

Despite all that, the worst offense for me was how obvious it was that the author inserted herself as the main character. If you follow the author, you’ll know what I mean. The book deals with themes like religious and childhood trauma, but instead of feeling like a natural part of the story, it felt like a personal therapeutic writing exercise that got published. Like I said, everything Lily says sounded like it came straight from a motivational book; it was too polished, too perfect and every couple of paragraphs she randomly dropped curse words, which just felt jarring. Not cute or funny. I’m honestly baffled by all the glowing reviews. But hey, to each their own. I don’t recommend it but if you’re still curious, borrow it from a library.

And just to show how little thought went into some parts of this book: at the end, Bel calls Lily “Hell’s Belle” and awkwardly laughs, saying he had to look up the word "belle" before meeting her. This man is supposedly a prince, a general, and has been alive for over a century...and yet he didn’t know what the word "belle: meant? I scoffed and rolled my eyes so hard I nearly gave myself whiplash.

The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem

Title: The Jasad Heir

Author: Sara Hashem

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Scorched Throne # 1

Publication: July 18, 2023, 523 pages

Source: Personal Library

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Ten years ago, the kingdom of Jasad burned. Its magic was outlawed. Its royal family murdered. At least, that’s what Sylvia wants people to believe. The Heir of Jasad escaped the massacre, and she intends to stay hidden, especially from the armies of Nizahl that continue to hunt her people.

But a moment of anger changes everything. When Arin, the Nizahl Heir, tracks a group of Jasadi rebels to her village, Sylvia accidentally reveals her magic—and captures his attention. Now Sylvia’s forced to make a deal with her greatest enemy: Help him hunt the rebels in exchange for her life.

A deadly game begins. Sylvia can’t let Arin discover her identity, even as hatred shifts into something more between the Heirs. And as the tides change around her, Sylvia will have to choose between the life she wants and the one she abandoned.

The scorched kingdom is rising, and it needs a queen.

MY THOUGHTS

I've had The Jasad Heir on my TBR since its release but hadn't gotten around to it due to the mixed reviews. I'm so glad I finally gave it a chance; it exceeded all my expectations!

The Jasad Heir is an Egyptian-inspired Romantasy that breathes new life into some of our favorite tropes. That said, I wouldn't categorize it strictly as "Romantasy", a term I'm honestly not fond of. This book is so much more than that. It's a perfect blend of action, suspense, romance, rich cultural depth, an engaging plot, and, most importantly, complex and compelling characters. The story is very character-driven, which is exactly what I love.

I was astonished to learn that this is Hashem's debut novel. The writing feels like the work of a seasoned author. The attention to detail, the depth of research, and the immersive world-building are top-notch. It’s clear how much heart and hard work went into crafting this story. I was hooked from the very first chapter.

I absolutely loved the characters, especially the contrast between Sylvia and Arin. Both are stubborn, strong-willed, and in control, but while Sylvia embodies controlled chaos, Arin exudes disciplined restraint. I truly appreciated the slow-burn tension between them. It felt subtle and organic, unlike many recent Romantasies that tend to overemphasize the romantic tension to the point of being forced.

What stood out most to me was the world-building. Readers get glimpses of the four main kingdoms, their rulers, citizens, and daily lives, it was fascinating. The trial arc, though brief and occurring later in the book (around the 70% mark), was well-executed and kept me engaged. I've read plenty of trial and competition-centered stories, and I can confidently say the trials here were above par—concise, well-paced, and genuinely interesting, without dragging down the story.

If you haven’t read The Jasad Heir yet, I highly recommend it. With the final book in the duology just around the corner, there’s no better time to dive in!